Having a pool built and need advice

[mknauss]

- How many bags do I put in initially?

Use your Poolmath. Effects of Adding Chemicals.

- Should I wait until it all dissolves before doing a salt test after to check level before adding more?

After adding, wait at least 2-3 days before testing again.

- The Aqualink doesn't seem to report a SWG. Where do I go to make sure it is enabled and toggle it on/off?

Is it hooked up?

 

[Newdude]

after 1-2 drops it was a light orange and then after the 3rd drop, jumped to nearly a brown color. So I'm not sure if I should record that as 400 or 600ppm. I went with 600ppm since it could pass as a milky red / brick color...

You count the drop that makes the drastic change. Some people see it as brown, or salmon, or brick red. But it's the same drop that goes boom for all of us. So call it 600.

How many bags do I put in initially?

We went over that above that each bag should be 250 ppm for you. (Write that down somewhere). 9 bags would put you just under 3k if the gallons are right and you can creep up the rest. Or the gallons are off and you will be right where you want to be on the first try.

 

[voidpointer]

I should have said "I'm unable to determine that it is connected" instead of "doesn't seem to report a SWG". It does say salinity is too low as an alert on the panel. The "Set Chlorine Production" in Aqualink shows it is set to 0% for both pool and spa. I'm only assuming this is the right place to check for it being on or off. See edits to my previous post for pictures I attached.

 

[Newdude]

The "Set Chlorine Production" in Aqualink shows it is set to 0% for both pool and spa. I'm only assuming this is the right place to check for it being on or off.

Sounds like it to me. 0% is effectively 'off' and it appears it is ready to go when the time comes by raising the % to start producing.

 

[voidpointer]

We went over that above that each bag should be 250 ppm for you. (Write that down somewhere). 9 bags would put you just under 3k if the gallons are right and you can creep up the rest. Or the gallons are off and you will be right where you want to be on the first try.

Sorry, you did mention that. I've been flying through the replies too quickly and missed it. Thank you for reminding me.

My target range based on earlier conversation is 2600-3800. When I do the "Effects of Adding" for salt, it defaults my target to 3400. Are we trying under 3k first, then if that measures correctly in the next test, we add another bag or two to try to hit 3,400?

Sounds like it to me. 0% is effectively 'off'

I'm not sure why Spa has a salt percentage. I assume that's for spa mode. Do you typically set the percentage the same for spa mode? Honestly I don't see spa mode being something that's on very often. Basically you flip it on for a few hours while you use it and then put it back to pool mode, right?

 

[Newdude]

Are we trying under 3k first, then if that measures correctly in the next test, we add another bag or two to try to hit 3,400?

Exactly. Leave some room for error because it only comes out by draining. 9 full bags will get you close to 3k, or possibly over.

I've been flying through the replies too quickly and missed it. Thank you for reminding me.

We have covered some serious ground here so some was bound to be overlooked. We got you.

Basically you flip it on for a few hours while you use it and then put it back to pool mode, right?

Basically. But I've never played with one so hang tight for those details.

 

[mknauss]

I'm not sure why Spa has a salt percentage. I assume that's for spa mode. Do you typically set the percentage the same for spa mode? Honestly I don't see spa mode being something that's on very often. Basically you flip it on for a few hours while you use it and then put it back to pool mode, right?

Typically put the Spa Mode SWCG % at 10% of the Pool Mode. The volume of your Spa is much smaller. That way while using the Spa, it will not overchlorinate the smaller water volume.

 

[voidpointer]

Typically put the Spa Mode SWCG % at 10% of the Pool Mode. The volume of your Spa is much smaller. That way while using the Spa, it will not overchlorinate the smaller water volume.

So for example if I have the SWG at 50% for the pool, I put it at 5% for the spa? My spa spills over into the pool in pool mode so I don't imagine this will matter too much?

 

[mknauss]

So for example if I have the SWG at 50% for the pool, I put it at 5% for the spa? My spa spills over into the pool in pool mode so I don't imagine this will matter too much?

Correct.
When your spa is spilling over into the pool, you are in Pool Mode. When you use the Spa, with it circulating only the water in spa, you are in Spa Mode.

 

[voidpointer]

Well, two years and 30 pages later... Might be time for me to start asking questions in new threads lol.

 

[kimkats]

Nope as you already have some of the best help around here in this thread. You will love having it all in one place in the future to read over the whole story in one place.

 

[Newdude]

+1. And this is ALL stuff that others building will need to experience/learn also, so keep it here for continuity.

 

[voidpointer]

Nope as you already have some of the best help around here in this thread. You will love having it all in one place in the future to read over the whole story in one place.

I think it's hard to go back and reference certain things since the thread-specific search isn't working, that's my only line of thinking. TFP is truly unique in how conversational it is. In my experience, most communities do not answer questions so helpfully; they typically expect you to search and find existing questions and answers. Seems like the Google-integrated forum search is great at finding blog entries and threads, but not so great at finding posts within threads. Maybe that's something that can be improved later.

In any case, I really appreciate how helpful everyone has been. I'm happy to keep this monster conversation going lol.

 

[Newdude]

In my experience, most communities do not answer questions so helpfully; they typically expect you to search and find existing questions and answers.

I always worry that somebody learning misses some details about the other thread that was different from their own. They're learning and whatnot and don't always pick up on their uniqueness. Then we have the original thing, and new things to work on.

Rest assured if that happens, we'll help fix the new issues too, but I always say it's better for all parties involved to only have one task to work on.

 

[voidpointer]

So I told the PB I will do the salt myself. Start up was on 2/28. Should I wait until 3/28 to put the salt in? Or can I do it sooner (and if so, when)?

 

[Newdude]

Should I wait until 3/28 to put the salt in? Or can I do it sooner (and if so, when)?

It won't hurt, but it's good insurance to wait in case the cell accidentally fires up early. It'll stay off with low salt. You don't want plaster dust going through an energized cell.

 

[ajw22]

It won't hurt, but it's good insurance to wait in case the cell accidentally fires up early. It'll stay off with low salt. You don't want plaster dust going through an energized cell.

Yes, it can hurt.

Plaster dust going through an energized cell is not the problem.

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

When Should Salt be Added? In our industry, there seems to be some consensus to wait 30 days before adding salt to new plaster pools, yet some say it is okay to add salt within a couple of days of filling the pool. Who is right? This thread describes why it appears that the recommendation to wait 30 days before adding any salt is appropriate for most plaster pools, including quartz and pebble pools

 

[Newdude]

Yes, it can hurt.

We should be past the point that it would, but with no rush it's better safe than sorry.

The results obtained suggest that adding 3000 ppm of salt does have a negative effect on plaster if added in the beginning at startup and up through the first two or three weeks

Start up was on 2/28.

 

[ajw22]

We should be past the point that it would, but with no rush it's better safe than sorry.

Everyone is looking for shortcuts. Then they ask why they took shortcuts and have problems. Follow the proven processes that are known to work.

 

[voidpointer]

There's an ever so small leak around where the top hose connects to the Polaris booster pump. It doesn't leak when the pump is not on. I tried tightening it, but didn't seem to fix the leak. I am afraid to tighten it further without fully understanding if that will damage it. Any tips?